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The Naiads of Juile #3
A Sea of Vows and Silence
Until the sea dries up. Until the moon burns out.
Celestial events are untouched by mortals. But one morning, in the birth of spring, two sisters force a rare solar eclipse into the sky, silencing the sun to make a desperate plea to the moon.
And the moon—seer, secret-keeper, and goddess of sea and sirens—answers.
Her response summons a rift between Cebrinne and Selena. When the sisters are handed the mission to infiltrate a neighboring siren colony, each latches onto the task, hoping to use it as leverage to appeal to the other.
Drink the blood. Find the stone. And walk the tight rope between love and freedom, protecting those who matter most.
But the tides of fate covet their mysteries, Cebrinne’s oath-master watches their every move with deep suspicion, and the moon has intentions all her own. Soon, the sisters’ lives unravel to a single, clear-cut Deny the Fates. And slowly lose everything.
Or walk directly into the dark embrace of death. And fight for it all.
A Sea of Vows and Silence marks the third dark chapter in The Naiads of Juile series, though the events that take place in this novel occur before the events of Book #1, following siren sisters Selena and Cebrinne on their frantic search for freedom from their cruel master. This raw, emotional romantasy features a dark fairytale setting that blends a shattered Little Mermaid retelling with elements of sisterly bonds, strong feminine ties, unique magic systems, an excruciating slow-burn romance, and quick twists and turns. This book is perfect for readers who love discovering on-page immersion, hopeless pining, extensive world-building, mysterious intrigue, and the disorienting reel that comes after experiencing the whiplash of sudden plot twists.
The Naiads of Juile series is best enjoyed in order.
Book #1: A Sea of Song and Sirens
Book #2: A Sea of Wrath and Scoria
Book #3: A Sea of Vows and Silence
Celestial events are untouched by mortals. But one morning, in the birth of spring, two sisters force a rare solar eclipse into the sky, silencing the sun to make a desperate plea to the moon.
And the moon—seer, secret-keeper, and goddess of sea and sirens—answers.
Her response summons a rift between Cebrinne and Selena. When the sisters are handed the mission to infiltrate a neighboring siren colony, each latches onto the task, hoping to use it as leverage to appeal to the other.
Drink the blood. Find the stone. And walk the tight rope between love and freedom, protecting those who matter most.
But the tides of fate covet their mysteries, Cebrinne’s oath-master watches their every move with deep suspicion, and the moon has intentions all her own. Soon, the sisters’ lives unravel to a single, clear-cut Deny the Fates. And slowly lose everything.
Or walk directly into the dark embrace of death. And fight for it all.
A Sea of Vows and Silence marks the third dark chapter in The Naiads of Juile series, though the events that take place in this novel occur before the events of Book #1, following siren sisters Selena and Cebrinne on their frantic search for freedom from their cruel master. This raw, emotional romantasy features a dark fairytale setting that blends a shattered Little Mermaid retelling with elements of sisterly bonds, strong feminine ties, unique magic systems, an excruciating slow-burn romance, and quick twists and turns. This book is perfect for readers who love discovering on-page immersion, hopeless pining, extensive world-building, mysterious intrigue, and the disorienting reel that comes after experiencing the whiplash of sudden plot twists.
The Naiads of Juile series is best enjoyed in order.
Book #1: A Sea of Song and Sirens
Book #2: A Sea of Wrath and Scoria
Book #3: A Sea of Vows and Silence
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
43 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
August 8, 2025
This book made me 𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁. As a prequel coming in after two books in the series, there’s a lot of information that we already have as readers. And I think that makes it even more impactful — we know what’s waiting for our favourite characters and 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡 that’s coming for them. And if you’ve read the first two books, you already know that Whit will emotionally devastate her readers. For me, this one was the most powerful yet.
It’s about the unwavering love and loyalty between 𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 and the way that they would do anything for each other. Selena and Cebrinne are 𝒷𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓈 and that definitely made this such a beautiful and at times, hard, read. I have a younger sister and she is my favourite person. It doesn’t matter how much distance is between us, or how long it’s been since we’ve seen one another, we’re still just the same.
Now, to jump back to the beginning, Whit manages to do what I thought was impossible — 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣. In my head I was like, hello?? Whit?? This is n̲o̲t̲ how I want to be feeling right now. But she managed to make me feel it, because she can get into the emotions that we can all connect with. In some form or another, we’ve all lost something that we grieved for, and we feel for Thaan in this moment. As the story goes on, he becomes even more irredeemable. If I thought I hated him as much as I could after book two, I was wrong. He has become so twisted by his hate that he’s no longer someone we can sympathize with. But Whit also manages to make him a completely evil character without it being over-the-top and one-dimensionally villainy, which I really love about her writing.
Okay. It’s time to talk about 𝙋𝙝𝙚𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙭. People said they loved him 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘒𝘺𝘦 and honestly I was a little skeptical. I didn’t think I was going to end up falling for him. But I did, and now I’m applying to be president of his fan club. It takes 𝙣𝙤 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 at all to fall for him. There’s something about him right from the beginning that just grabbed me. He’s funny and clever and of course, handsome and strong. Knowing how ASOWAS ended, I had a ton of questions about his character, and I loved getting to know him. But also, Whit, how could you?? The ending of this book was ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 and I’m sitting here like 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬.
Okay. I know this book hasn’t actually been published yet but. I need book four. It’s coming soon, right?? Right?? * 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺*
Thank you so much to Whit for the chance to read ASOVAS as an arc ♥️
It’s about the unwavering love and loyalty between 𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 and the way that they would do anything for each other. Selena and Cebrinne are 𝒷𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓈 and that definitely made this such a beautiful and at times, hard, read. I have a younger sister and she is my favourite person. It doesn’t matter how much distance is between us, or how long it’s been since we’ve seen one another, we’re still just the same.
Now, to jump back to the beginning, Whit manages to do what I thought was impossible — 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙖𝙣. In my head I was like, hello?? Whit?? This is n̲o̲t̲ how I want to be feeling right now. But she managed to make me feel it, because she can get into the emotions that we can all connect with. In some form or another, we’ve all lost something that we grieved for, and we feel for Thaan in this moment. As the story goes on, he becomes even more irredeemable. If I thought I hated him as much as I could after book two, I was wrong. He has become so twisted by his hate that he’s no longer someone we can sympathize with. But Whit also manages to make him a completely evil character without it being over-the-top and one-dimensionally villainy, which I really love about her writing.
Okay. It’s time to talk about 𝙋𝙝𝙚𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙭. People said they loved him 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘒𝘺𝘦 and honestly I was a little skeptical. I didn’t think I was going to end up falling for him. But I did, and now I’m applying to be president of his fan club. It takes 𝙣𝙤 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 at all to fall for him. There’s something about him right from the beginning that just grabbed me. He’s funny and clever and of course, handsome and strong. Knowing how ASOWAS ended, I had a ton of questions about his character, and I loved getting to know him. But also, Whit, how could you?? The ending of this book was ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 and I’m sitting here like 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬.
Okay. I know this book hasn’t actually been published yet but. I need book four. It’s coming soon, right?? Right?? * 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺*
Thank you so much to Whit for the chance to read ASOVAS as an arc ♥️
September 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
What to say, what to say….
~✨First, a huge thank you for an advanced copy of A Sea of Vows and Silence from the author Whit Stanfield herself for review. Thank you so much for providing us with another amazing escape into this world you’ve created.✨~
Nearly lost for words, this was absolutely beautiful.
A stunning prequel to the Naiads of Juile series of which I’m not ready for the ending.
🌊
Each book I become lost in Whit’s writing, the expressiveness of each character and their personalities, entirely their own and unique.
🌅
The sisterly dynamic between Cebrinne and Selena I relate to wholeheartedly. My heart goes out to them in many ways. Wanting to hug them and console them in one moment, and yell and bring them together in the next.
🧜🏻♀️
I am sitting here and contemplating my journey through this story and my mind can’t settle on one thing from the last. Tears have been shed several times, laughter and giggles at the relatable moments that I’ve shared between family and friends alike, and heartfelt words spoken and swoonworthy men nearly bringing me to my knees.
🥹
I don’t think it’s possible to write a perfect review, but I’m trying my best to express all my thoughts and feelings, I hope this will do.
I cannot wait to get my hands on book 4 of the Naiads of Juile series, and find out what all happens next🩵🫶🏻💖
🌶️🌶️
What to say, what to say….
~✨First, a huge thank you for an advanced copy of A Sea of Vows and Silence from the author Whit Stanfield herself for review. Thank you so much for providing us with another amazing escape into this world you’ve created.✨~
Nearly lost for words, this was absolutely beautiful.
A stunning prequel to the Naiads of Juile series of which I’m not ready for the ending.
🌊
Each book I become lost in Whit’s writing, the expressiveness of each character and their personalities, entirely their own and unique.
🌅
The sisterly dynamic between Cebrinne and Selena I relate to wholeheartedly. My heart goes out to them in many ways. Wanting to hug them and console them in one moment, and yell and bring them together in the next.
🧜🏻♀️
I am sitting here and contemplating my journey through this story and my mind can’t settle on one thing from the last. Tears have been shed several times, laughter and giggles at the relatable moments that I’ve shared between family and friends alike, and heartfelt words spoken and swoonworthy men nearly bringing me to my knees.
🥹
I don’t think it’s possible to write a perfect review, but I’m trying my best to express all my thoughts and feelings, I hope this will do.
I cannot wait to get my hands on book 4 of the Naiads of Juile series, and find out what all happens next🩵🫶🏻💖
July 31, 2025
in all of the best books, there’s something you give up. you give up the element of surprise in a predictable classic. you give up your own imagined ending in a book that manages a successful plot twist. you give up hours of your time after reading to thinking about how things built on every page. you give up bits of your sanity wondering what comes next for the characters you grew to love. You might even forfeit a small piece of your brain trying to puzzle together how an author just ✦ ˖⁺‧₊ thought it all up ˖⁺‧₊✦
In Whit Stanfield’s A Sea of Vows and Silence you give up all of those things. The third installment of The Naiads of Juile series is the prequel to the beloved first two books; A Sea of Song and Sirens, and A Sea of Wrath and Scoria. You open page one knowing the destination, you know so much going into this story and yet nothing at all about the journey. In true Whit Stanfield fashion, you will laugh, cry, kick your feet, curse the villain, pace your bedroom at midnight, cry some more, curse the villain again, and finally you will finish the last page, close the book, and wonder how you truly saw nothing coming and yet walked away with your expectations completely exceeded. I feel so rooted into Whit’s characters, something I experience every time I read a book of hers. I’m transported, I am the character whose point-of-view I’m reading. I feel their rage, their despair, their joy, their love, their heartbreak, their fear. Often in dual-POV stories there’s one you connect with more than another but this felt like a completely immersive experience. Each character has their own distinct voice with a strong theme of being united against a common enemy, for different reasons.
This story highlights the unbreakable bond between sisters, the unwavering loyalty to protect your own, and how truly loving someone sometimes means letting them go, losing them. As both someone’s big sister and someone’s little sister this book broke my heart and yet I understood it in a way that only a sister can. The urge to protect them in a way that is borderline controlling while also wanting them to live their lives their own way, growing and learning and experiencing everything they possibly can.
The romance was raw, real, and endearing. The forbidden love trope in a new and unique way that both filled my heart and smashed it to pieces. A textbook example of “love conquers all” while also screaming “sometimes love isn’t enough”.
There is something distinctly and specifically fresh about the way that the villain is written. You hate him, you’re supposed to. You know his villain origin story, you understand why he is the way he is, made and not born. Yet, he has not a single redeeming quality, not an ounce of good. You find yourself forgetting that what made him this way would ruin any person beyond repair, and then just when he does something else truly unspeakable you find yourself stopping to think, wouldn’t you, if you were him? Still, you (im)patiently wait for the demise of the most calculatedly vile character you’ve ever read.
I am not usually a huge fan of prequels in the middle of a series, it’s rare that they make sense and cohesively tie back into the main storyline. A Sea of Vows and Silence comes at the perfect time in The Naiads of Juile series, constantly offering answers to nearly every question I’ve asked in books one and two. Weaving understanding of who Maren is and how every single thing that’s happened to her was both determined by a prophesied fate and also her own doing. A generational story of hope, of resisting, of fighting back, not of found family but of finding your family.
In Whit Stanfield’s A Sea of Vows and Silence you give up all of those things. The third installment of The Naiads of Juile series is the prequel to the beloved first two books; A Sea of Song and Sirens, and A Sea of Wrath and Scoria. You open page one knowing the destination, you know so much going into this story and yet nothing at all about the journey. In true Whit Stanfield fashion, you will laugh, cry, kick your feet, curse the villain, pace your bedroom at midnight, cry some more, curse the villain again, and finally you will finish the last page, close the book, and wonder how you truly saw nothing coming and yet walked away with your expectations completely exceeded. I feel so rooted into Whit’s characters, something I experience every time I read a book of hers. I’m transported, I am the character whose point-of-view I’m reading. I feel their rage, their despair, their joy, their love, their heartbreak, their fear. Often in dual-POV stories there’s one you connect with more than another but this felt like a completely immersive experience. Each character has their own distinct voice with a strong theme of being united against a common enemy, for different reasons.
This story highlights the unbreakable bond between sisters, the unwavering loyalty to protect your own, and how truly loving someone sometimes means letting them go, losing them. As both someone’s big sister and someone’s little sister this book broke my heart and yet I understood it in a way that only a sister can. The urge to protect them in a way that is borderline controlling while also wanting them to live their lives their own way, growing and learning and experiencing everything they possibly can.
The romance was raw, real, and endearing. The forbidden love trope in a new and unique way that both filled my heart and smashed it to pieces. A textbook example of “love conquers all” while also screaming “sometimes love isn’t enough”.
There is something distinctly and specifically fresh about the way that the villain is written. You hate him, you’re supposed to. You know his villain origin story, you understand why he is the way he is, made and not born. Yet, he has not a single redeeming quality, not an ounce of good. You find yourself forgetting that what made him this way would ruin any person beyond repair, and then just when he does something else truly unspeakable you find yourself stopping to think, wouldn’t you, if you were him? Still, you (im)patiently wait for the demise of the most calculatedly vile character you’ve ever read.
I am not usually a huge fan of prequels in the middle of a series, it’s rare that they make sense and cohesively tie back into the main storyline. A Sea of Vows and Silence comes at the perfect time in The Naiads of Juile series, constantly offering answers to nearly every question I’ve asked in books one and two. Weaving understanding of who Maren is and how every single thing that’s happened to her was both determined by a prophesied fate and also her own doing. A generational story of hope, of resisting, of fighting back, not of found family but of finding your family.
September 6, 2025
This is the third book in the Naiads of Julie series, and a gripping prequel following two sisters as they fight for freedom and love.
Cebrinne and Selena have to play a dangerous game, with undercover missions, evading spies, making secret alliances, and trying to defeat Thaan.
This book hits harder knowing what happens in books 1&2, and seeing what Thaan is capable of, but it fills in so much back story as it immerses you into the emotional and tragic story.
This book makes you understand the characters in a deeper way, and adds layers to the tragedy and pain of Selena's life, and sets the scene for Maren.
It also portrays the bond of sisters so well, the loyalty and protection, and willingness to sacrifice for each other.
The banter from Phoelix was top tier, he's witty, sarcastic, protective, swoony and a little unhinged.
A forbidden love story is always a win for me, and I loved all the elements; heated dancing at the masquerade ball, she rescues him / he rescues her, all the tension and longing, and the tragedy of their love.
This book was so emotional, I am not okay, and those final chapters hurt my heart. I know book 4 is going to be epic, and I hope the characters get the justice they deserve, and Thaan faces all their wrath.
If you haven't already do yourself a favour and read this series!
Cebrinne and Selena have to play a dangerous game, with undercover missions, evading spies, making secret alliances, and trying to defeat Thaan.
This book hits harder knowing what happens in books 1&2, and seeing what Thaan is capable of, but it fills in so much back story as it immerses you into the emotional and tragic story.
This book makes you understand the characters in a deeper way, and adds layers to the tragedy and pain of Selena's life, and sets the scene for Maren.
It also portrays the bond of sisters so well, the loyalty and protection, and willingness to sacrifice for each other.
The banter from Phoelix was top tier, he's witty, sarcastic, protective, swoony and a little unhinged.
A forbidden love story is always a win for me, and I loved all the elements; heated dancing at the masquerade ball, she rescues him / he rescues her, all the tension and longing, and the tragedy of their love.
This book was so emotional, I am not okay, and those final chapters hurt my heart. I know book 4 is going to be epic, and I hope the characters get the justice they deserve, and Thaan faces all their wrath.
If you haven't already do yourself a favour and read this series!
September 10, 2025
Thank you so much for the advanced copy Whit!
I cannot lie, I was initially disappointed that this was not a continuation of Maren and Kye's story. However, I was IMMEDIATELY drawn in and just as obsessed with these characters. I absolutely ripped through this book, just like I did with the first two.
Selena and Cebrinne's relationship is so beautiful and knowing what is going to happen to them in their future is heartbreaking. It is so great to get all this backstory to understand the characters and get to know Cebrinne who we only hear about in books 1 & 2.
PHEOLIX! Oh my goodness, I love Pheolix. He is so sarcastic and he loves to get on Selena's nerves. The tension between them was incredible, and finding out about Pheolix's past and about the drones in general was so interesting.
My favorite Pheolix quote which will live on rent free in my mind:
"I don't care." Pheolix ground the words into my flesh, lips hot against my neck. "If you go to his rooms, you'll go with the memory of my mouth burned into your skin. You'll think of my voice when he speaks to you, my hands when he touches you, my lips when he kisses you. You'll walk through that door with him. but it will be me in that room with you."
I NEED more of Selena and Pheolix and I need more of Maren and Kyle!!!! IMMEDIATELY!
I cannot lie, I was initially disappointed that this was not a continuation of Maren and Kye's story. However, I was IMMEDIATELY drawn in and just as obsessed with these characters. I absolutely ripped through this book, just like I did with the first two.
Selena and Cebrinne's relationship is so beautiful and knowing what is going to happen to them in their future is heartbreaking. It is so great to get all this backstory to understand the characters and get to know Cebrinne who we only hear about in books 1 & 2.
PHEOLIX! Oh my goodness, I love Pheolix. He is so sarcastic and he loves to get on Selena's nerves. The tension between them was incredible, and finding out about Pheolix's past and about the drones in general was so interesting.
My favorite Pheolix quote which will live on rent free in my mind:
"I don't care." Pheolix ground the words into my flesh, lips hot against my neck. "If you go to his rooms, you'll go with the memory of my mouth burned into your skin. You'll think of my voice when he speaks to you, my hands when he touches you, my lips when he kisses you. You'll walk through that door with him. but it will be me in that room with you."
I NEED more of Selena and Pheolix and I need more of Maren and Kyle!!!! IMMEDIATELY!
August 19, 2025
Was honored to read an ARC of this story and oh my heart…how can a prequel crush you even if you know how some things are going to end?! Ceba is just my favorite character in this world so far, it was so fun to get to know and meet her. I didn’t expect to be left with so many questions, since this book takes place before the other two, but somehow I’m left on even more of a cliffhanger! I cannot wait to learn how this whole story comes together in the fourth book.
September 16, 2025
A Sea of Vows and Silence is the third book in The Naiads of Juile series, and is a prequel to the first two books. The story follows sisters Selena and Cebrinne as they try escape Thaan’s control.
Including a prequel in the series was the best choice Whit could have made. I was so excited to continue Maren’s story but reading this book first has added so much more depth and understanding to the overall narrative. I loved getting to know some of the characters more, particularly Cebrinne, and I loved the sisterly bond she had with Selena.
Selena and Pheolix’s budding romance had me giggling and kicking my feet, and I have to admit that Pheolix has given Kye a run for his money in the book boyfriend department.
Even knowing how it ended, nothing could have prepared me for the journey this book took me on. I loved every second, and I’m eagerly counting down the days until the fourth and final book is released.
Thank you so much to Whit for an early review copy of ASOVAS!
Including a prequel in the series was the best choice Whit could have made. I was so excited to continue Maren’s story but reading this book first has added so much more depth and understanding to the overall narrative. I loved getting to know some of the characters more, particularly Cebrinne, and I loved the sisterly bond she had with Selena.
Selena and Pheolix’s budding romance had me giggling and kicking my feet, and I have to admit that Pheolix has given Kye a run for his money in the book boyfriend department.
Even knowing how it ended, nothing could have prepared me for the journey this book took me on. I loved every second, and I’m eagerly counting down the days until the fourth and final book is released.
Thank you so much to Whit for an early review copy of ASOVAS!
September 7, 2025
I always find it fascinating when an author chooses to drop a prequel partway through a series. Done well, it can fill in gaps, expand the world, and add considerable weight to the story we’ve already fallen for. Bit also runs the risk of focusing on characters we’re not attached to. Whit Stanfield takes that gamble here, and I think it was VERY successful. While I missed our main characters from the first two books, I think this was a worthwhile (and possibly quite necessary) addition to the Naiads of Juile series. It expands and deepens it in a way that feels like both a love letter to the world and its readers.
This follows the mysterious sisters that we've learned about previously. I'm being vague to not get into spoiler territory. The sisterly bond and the romance here are the strongest aspects of the story, and they are both tender and tragic. Because we already know what’s coming, I was almost preemptively heartbroken. It felt so much heavier with that knowledge. It also sharpened my absolute hatred for the villain, whose cruelty is spotlighted even more with this context.
The writing is immersive, as always, and the themes of love, sacrifice, and power are woven beautifully. The pacing was a little bit uneven for me in the beginning. The first half didn’t fully grab me, and it wasn’t until just before the midpoint that I felt fully hooked into the story. But I was invested, and by the end, I appreciated how much richer it made the series lore.
This is a haunting backstory that explains so much of what came before. It’s gorgeously written and emotional. If you’re already a fan of the series, you’ll find this both heartbreaking and illuminating. And, on a personal note, the author's note left me with chills as I very much understand that kind of loss. And it made things resonate even more for me personally. Can't wait for the next book!
Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This follows the mysterious sisters that we've learned about previously. I'm being vague to not get into spoiler territory. The sisterly bond and the romance here are the strongest aspects of the story, and they are both tender and tragic. Because we already know what’s coming, I was almost preemptively heartbroken. It felt so much heavier with that knowledge. It also sharpened my absolute hatred for the villain, whose cruelty is spotlighted even more with this context.
The writing is immersive, as always, and the themes of love, sacrifice, and power are woven beautifully. The pacing was a little bit uneven for me in the beginning. The first half didn’t fully grab me, and it wasn’t until just before the midpoint that I felt fully hooked into the story. But I was invested, and by the end, I appreciated how much richer it made the series lore.
This is a haunting backstory that explains so much of what came before. It’s gorgeously written and emotional. If you’re already a fan of the series, you’ll find this both heartbreaking and illuminating. And, on a personal note, the author's note left me with chills as I very much understand that kind of loss. And it made things resonate even more for me personally. Can't wait for the next book!
Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
September 18, 2025
To learn more about Cebrinne and Selena in this prequel was absolutely a huge positive addition to the series. So much information that suddenly adds more depth to the first two books, as well as meaning.
Even still, I really struggled to get into this book for the first half. There was so much information, planning and scheming. I felt like I lost track of what was going on and it made feel like I missed more information than I gathered.
Having said that, it really picked up about 60% in. I still adooore this series! The drama, tension and revelations had me gasping and holding my breath on several occasions. It definitely made me think it would be fun to read book 1 and 2 again!!
Thank you so much for the ARC Whit Stanfield!
3.5 🌟
“Guilt was the psychological trick society played to keep you in line. To keep you honest. A punishment of your own device, an addiction everyone seemed to seek, whether or not they’d actually done any harm.”
“I’d burn every bone in my body to keep you warm. I’d sacrifice every drop of my blood to keep you safe.”
“If I saved you from losing your mind, it's only because you saved me first.”
Even still, I really struggled to get into this book for the first half. There was so much information, planning and scheming. I felt like I lost track of what was going on and it made feel like I missed more information than I gathered.
Having said that, it really picked up about 60% in. I still adooore this series! The drama, tension and revelations had me gasping and holding my breath on several occasions. It definitely made me think it would be fun to read book 1 and 2 again!!
Thank you so much for the ARC Whit Stanfield!
3.5 🌟
“Guilt was the psychological trick society played to keep you in line. To keep you honest. A punishment of your own device, an addiction everyone seemed to seek, whether or not they’d actually done any harm.”
“I’d burn every bone in my body to keep you warm. I’d sacrifice every drop of my blood to keep you safe.”
“If I saved you from losing your mind, it's only because you saved me first.”
September 3, 2025
I need to process what I just read! but Whit does it again.
If you are thinking about reading these, stop thinking and just do it!
If you are thinking about reading these, stop thinking and just do it!
September 4, 2025
oh boy..........
no tengo palabras para describir esto. ha sido terrible de tantas formas..... me ha encantado. me he enamorado de los personajes al nivel que quiero que los de la trilogía principal se vayan a la mierda solo para que estos sean felices para siempre.
una maravilla
no tengo palabras para describir esto. ha sido terrible de tantas formas..... me ha encantado. me he enamorado de los personajes al nivel que quiero que los de la trilogía principal se vayan a la mierda solo para que estos sean felices para siempre.
una maravilla
October 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ ready for the last one. Love Phoelix I need to see this man get justice thanks 😔
November 14, 2025
I will not ever really recover from the RIDE this book took me on. Life ruined, soul shattered. Absolutely recommend this to anyone with functional eyes.
August 14, 2025
✨Sea of Vows and Silence ✨
First off, I will say that Whit is a GODDESS in her capability to create uniquely lovable and drool worthy MMCs. Kye is our delightful grump in books one and two but book THREE, we get to see the shadow of the Phoelix we’ve seen before THRIVE. Phoelix is what
I would call a sunshine hyena (nope, not golden retriever). Why, you ask? Because he is utterly unhinged, sassy, hilarious, and deadly.
ASOVAS is book three of the Naiads of Juile, but technically a prequel in that it takes place BEFORE our series begins. However, to truly understand what is going on in this deliciously painful read, it is best read as book three. And she thicc- no novella here, lovelies.
After the revelations and ending in book two, A Sea of Wrath and Scoria, this book puts SO MANY pieces together while also giving us a peek at why everyone is the way they are; how and why things happened the way they did; another look at our villainous villain; along with some torturous romance! My mind was blown with these plot twists and reveals. Whit is truly one of my favorite writers- immersive, poetic, humorous, and so well done!
Tropes you may find in ASOVAS are forced proximity, bodyguard, forbidden love, beautiful sister relationship, epic sacrifices, deeper plot building, hidden identities, banter, trauma at a masquerade, anti-powers, multiple first person POVs, and an ending that had me wanting to reread the whole series and make all the notes.
Whit, it has been a pleasure to be an arc reader for this entire series to far and I don’t plan on quittin’! 🥔 unite!
First off, I will say that Whit is a GODDESS in her capability to create uniquely lovable and drool worthy MMCs. Kye is our delightful grump in books one and two but book THREE, we get to see the shadow of the Phoelix we’ve seen before THRIVE. Phoelix is what
I would call a sunshine hyena (nope, not golden retriever). Why, you ask? Because he is utterly unhinged, sassy, hilarious, and deadly.
ASOVAS is book three of the Naiads of Juile, but technically a prequel in that it takes place BEFORE our series begins. However, to truly understand what is going on in this deliciously painful read, it is best read as book three. And she thicc- no novella here, lovelies.
After the revelations and ending in book two, A Sea of Wrath and Scoria, this book puts SO MANY pieces together while also giving us a peek at why everyone is the way they are; how and why things happened the way they did; another look at our villainous villain; along with some torturous romance! My mind was blown with these plot twists and reveals. Whit is truly one of my favorite writers- immersive, poetic, humorous, and so well done!
Tropes you may find in ASOVAS are forced proximity, bodyguard, forbidden love, beautiful sister relationship, epic sacrifices, deeper plot building, hidden identities, banter, trauma at a masquerade, anti-powers, multiple first person POVs, and an ending that had me wanting to reread the whole series and make all the notes.
Whit, it has been a pleasure to be an arc reader for this entire series to far and I don’t plan on quittin’! 🥔 unite!
September 9, 2025
Until the sea dries up.
Until the moon burns out.
2 sisters, Cebrinne and Selena, are taken from their family and forced into transforming into Naiads. Years later, they force a solar eclipse and speak a goddess who tells them a prophecy of who would be able to kill their captor, Thaan.
Sent on a mission to infiltrate another siren colony, they attempt to figure out a different way. Soon, their lives begin to unravel as we slowly draw to a conclusion of what then began the events of the first 2 books in this series. Can anyone truly fight their fate? Can sisterly bonds overcome all?
Although the events of this book takes place before A Sea of Song and Sirens (Book 1) and A Sea of Wrath and Scoria (Book 2), it’s still best to read after the first 2 books.
Holy crow this was a brilliant book. Fills in some of the gaps and questions about the story before the beginning of this amazing series. Such a brilliant book full of suspense, tension, sisterly love and bonds.
My favourite lines from this book are:
“But the worst thing a man can do is steal your voice”
“I’ve loved you since the moment my lips touched yours”
If you want to read a brilliant mermaid/siren related book, try this series. You won’t regret it.
Until the moon burns out.
2 sisters, Cebrinne and Selena, are taken from their family and forced into transforming into Naiads. Years later, they force a solar eclipse and speak a goddess who tells them a prophecy of who would be able to kill their captor, Thaan.
Sent on a mission to infiltrate another siren colony, they attempt to figure out a different way. Soon, their lives begin to unravel as we slowly draw to a conclusion of what then began the events of the first 2 books in this series. Can anyone truly fight their fate? Can sisterly bonds overcome all?
Although the events of this book takes place before A Sea of Song and Sirens (Book 1) and A Sea of Wrath and Scoria (Book 2), it’s still best to read after the first 2 books.
Holy crow this was a brilliant book. Fills in some of the gaps and questions about the story before the beginning of this amazing series. Such a brilliant book full of suspense, tension, sisterly love and bonds.
My favourite lines from this book are:
“But the worst thing a man can do is steal your voice”
“I’ve loved you since the moment my lips touched yours”
If you want to read a brilliant mermaid/siren related book, try this series. You won’t regret it.
August 15, 2025
Ommgggg I received an advanced readers copy of this book and holy moly !!!! I love these books and series so much … one of my favorite fantasy reads to date … all the complexity of the characters, and the bond of sisters , love, loss… this book had everything .. I need more and more of these characters!!! The ending ……..
Ahhhhhhhhhhh
Ahhhhhhhhhhh
August 20, 2025
Original review at Gabic Reads. eARC received from author in exchange for an honest review.
I am anxiously awaiting the chronological sequel in this series, but I do think this prequel was necessary. You definitely can't read this before the first two, despite it chronologically occuring before. A Sea of Vows and Silence provided so much context for Selena and Thaan. I want to re-read the first two just to see how much more depth this will add to Maren's story.
The book is a slow start and there are some weird time jumps that I felt left a lot to be desired. Right around 45% is where the story really starts to pick up and I was hooked for the rest of the book. The ending is perfect and I definitely cried even though I knew how it would end. I loved getting to know Cebrinne and Aegir and I want more of Aegir!!!! There were a lot of scenes that I felt were skipped over like Cebrinne and Selena living in Paria, Cebrinne and Aegir making the candle, plus a few scenes toward the end. It made it feel like I was just missing part of the book. And I am still confused about drones.
I enjoyed this book and all the context it adds. It's not my favorite of the series, but I am excited to re-read the first two with this book in mind as well as continue the story!
I am anxiously awaiting the chronological sequel in this series, but I do think this prequel was necessary. You definitely can't read this before the first two, despite it chronologically occuring before. A Sea of Vows and Silence provided so much context for Selena and Thaan. I want to re-read the first two just to see how much more depth this will add to Maren's story.
The book is a slow start and there are some weird time jumps that I felt left a lot to be desired. Right around 45% is where the story really starts to pick up and I was hooked for the rest of the book. The ending is perfect and I definitely cried even though I knew how it would end. I loved getting to know Cebrinne and Aegir and I want more of Aegir!!!! There were a lot of scenes that I felt were skipped over like Cebrinne and Selena living in Paria, Cebrinne and Aegir making the candle, plus a few scenes toward the end. It made it feel like I was just missing part of the book. And I am still confused about drones.
I enjoyed this book and all the context it adds. It's not my favorite of the series, but I am excited to re-read the first two with this book in mind as well as continue the story!
September 12, 2025
Ugh, I knew this one was going to emotionally wreck me.
I knew from book 1 that Selena's sister [redacted] and Maren didn't know.
I learned in book 2 that Phoelix was really [redacted]. 😱
I knew the devastation FROM THE START... and yet it was still heartbreaking to see it all play out, filling in the details of the bigger picture.
And I tell you what, Whit has created the most despicable villain I have ever come across... She writes so beautifully that I have to keep going. But she has some suspenseful scenes with that guy that stress me tf out! 😅
It's the tragic backstory we all needed for books 1 and 2. It's devastating...
Yet... it's also such a beautiful story about sisterly love and loyalty, about the pain of grief.
And we're also left with more questions to be answered in the next book. 👀
🌶 One open-door scene
As always, Whit, thank you for allowing me the pleasure of ARC reading and being on your street team! 🙏🏻
I knew from book 1 that Selena's sister [redacted] and Maren didn't know.
I learned in book 2 that Phoelix was really [redacted]. 😱
I knew the devastation FROM THE START... and yet it was still heartbreaking to see it all play out, filling in the details of the bigger picture.
And I tell you what, Whit has created the most despicable villain I have ever come across... She writes so beautifully that I have to keep going. But she has some suspenseful scenes with that guy that stress me tf out! 😅
It's the tragic backstory we all needed for books 1 and 2. It's devastating...
Yet... it's also such a beautiful story about sisterly love and loyalty, about the pain of grief.
And we're also left with more questions to be answered in the next book. 👀
🌶 One open-door scene
As always, Whit, thank you for allowing me the pleasure of ARC reading and being on your street team! 🙏🏻
August 6, 2025
This book is a prologue to book 1 and 2 of the series and let me tell you this one is an emotional roller coaster. This was the most perfect backstory to Selena and Cerbrinne and their bonds as sisters. I loved how perfectly the world building was written and how protective Pheolix was.
September 20, 2025
Twin siren sisters, Cebrinne and Selena, seek the help of a goddess to escape captivity. The despicable man they are magically bound to is desperate for more power and seeks to use the sisters in his scheme. A prophesy is revealed to them that can end the evil, but there's a huge caveat: one of the sisters will have to die.
The sisters are determined to bring their captor down and escape death, but with spies everywhere and a charismatic bodyguard following them around, can the sisters find a way to wnd the evil and survive?
A Sea of Vows and Silence is a prequel in the Naiads of Juile series and is such a wonderful addition to the overall story.
Whit Stanfield has truly outdone herself with this incredible novel! I instantly felt the deep connection between Cebrinne and Selena. It's more than just sisterly love. It's a tangible and visceral connection that the characters are able to draw strength from and was written so beautifully. The attention to detail and vivid descriptions transported me to the scenes. I felt like I was watching the story unfold rather than reading it.
A Sea of Vows and Silence is a captivating romantasy filled with fierce devotion and love, selfless sacrifice, compelling intrigue, and maybe even a new book boyfriend... 🤭
If you're looking for a romantasy series to obsess over, you've found it! A Sea of Songs and Sirens and A Sea of Wrath and Scoria are already available!
The sisters are determined to bring their captor down and escape death, but with spies everywhere and a charismatic bodyguard following them around, can the sisters find a way to wnd the evil and survive?
A Sea of Vows and Silence is a prequel in the Naiads of Juile series and is such a wonderful addition to the overall story.
Whit Stanfield has truly outdone herself with this incredible novel! I instantly felt the deep connection between Cebrinne and Selena. It's more than just sisterly love. It's a tangible and visceral connection that the characters are able to draw strength from and was written so beautifully. The attention to detail and vivid descriptions transported me to the scenes. I felt like I was watching the story unfold rather than reading it.
A Sea of Vows and Silence is a captivating romantasy filled with fierce devotion and love, selfless sacrifice, compelling intrigue, and maybe even a new book boyfriend... 🤭
If you're looking for a romantasy series to obsess over, you've found it! A Sea of Songs and Sirens and A Sea of Wrath and Scoria are already available!
November 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Devastating. Brilliant. Unrelenting.
Whit Stanfield, you absolute menace of emotion. Once again, you’ve ripped my heart out, stomped on it, and handed it back to me wrapped in seawater and sorrow—and I loved every second of it.
From the very first page, we are plunged into the lives of Selena and Cebrinne, two sisters bound by blood, love, and secrets we only now begin to understand. If you’ve read the first two books (and please do before touching this one), you know Selena and her world, and you’ve heard of Cebrinne—but you haven’t truly met her until now. The depth of their connection, the loyalty and love between them, and the heartbreak they share—it all comes crashing into the story here, making this installment as much about love, loyalty, defiance, and heartbreak as it is about magic and prophecy.
Selena’s journey is full of impossible choices and unbearable loss. She learns of a prophecy that could destroy her sister and must watch Cebrinne walk willingly toward it, fighting her not out of defiance but because she can’t bear to lose her. Along the way, she finds herself drawn to a man she wants to hate but can’t, though she doesn’t fully acknowledge her feelings until faced with the possibility of losing him. When she and Cebrinne finally part ways so her sister can follow her own path, Selena is reunited with the man she loves. That moment, long-awaited and full of hope, is heartbreakingly fleeting, swiftly torn away by forces beyond her control. She is left to watch as the other half of her heart slowly fades into a shadow of himself, all while carrying the weight of her sister’s impossible path. The grief is crushing, and every small piece of hope feels painfully temporary.
And then there’s Cebrinne.
I struggled with her for so much of the book—not because she fought the prophecy, but because of how she chose to face it. The things she was willing to sacrifice, the choices she made—they didn’t sit right with me at first. I thought I knew how I wanted her story to unfold, and I was angry that she wasn’t living up to that version. But by the end, after seeing what little control she actually had and the impossible decisions she was forced to make, my perspective shifted. Once she finally began fulfilling the prophecy and had that fleeting taste of life and love and freedom away from Thaan’s control—yet it was still tainted by the hatefulness and bitterness of the people surrounding her—it broke me. I still don’t agree with everything she did, but now I understand her, or at least I’m starting to, and I think I will even more as the story continues to unfold. Now all I can do is anxiously wait to see if there’s more to Cebrinne’s deal with Darkness, as I can’t shake the feeling she made it in the hopes of protecting those she loves—and I’m dying to find out what it could mean for her daughter.
And then there’s Pheolix—absolute perfection wrapped in chaos. He’s witty, sarcastic, clever, and endlessly entertaining, with a humor that gets under Selena’s skin in the best way possible. His banter and clever quips are his armor, and he can charm and tease everyone, making him utterly approachable despite everything he’s endured. He’s smart, intriguing, and fiercely protective—the kind of blackguard ass of a siren who would go to any lengths to keep Selena safe. His loyalty is unwavering, and his devotion to her is everything—fierce, unrelenting, and utterly captivating.
Thaan remains the absolute worst. Every small moment of hope he touches, he twists into heartbreak. I hate him with every fiber of my being.
This book gives you everything you’ve been waiting for—hope, love, resolution—only to rip it all away in the most perfect, brutal way.
I’m not okay. I will never be okay.
And yet—I need Book Four like, yesterday.
Devastating. Brilliant. Unrelenting.
Whit Stanfield, you absolute menace of emotion. Once again, you’ve ripped my heart out, stomped on it, and handed it back to me wrapped in seawater and sorrow—and I loved every second of it.
From the very first page, we are plunged into the lives of Selena and Cebrinne, two sisters bound by blood, love, and secrets we only now begin to understand. If you’ve read the first two books (and please do before touching this one), you know Selena and her world, and you’ve heard of Cebrinne—but you haven’t truly met her until now. The depth of their connection, the loyalty and love between them, and the heartbreak they share—it all comes crashing into the story here, making this installment as much about love, loyalty, defiance, and heartbreak as it is about magic and prophecy.
Selena’s journey is full of impossible choices and unbearable loss. She learns of a prophecy that could destroy her sister and must watch Cebrinne walk willingly toward it, fighting her not out of defiance but because she can’t bear to lose her. Along the way, she finds herself drawn to a man she wants to hate but can’t, though she doesn’t fully acknowledge her feelings until faced with the possibility of losing him. When she and Cebrinne finally part ways so her sister can follow her own path, Selena is reunited with the man she loves. That moment, long-awaited and full of hope, is heartbreakingly fleeting, swiftly torn away by forces beyond her control. She is left to watch as the other half of her heart slowly fades into a shadow of himself, all while carrying the weight of her sister’s impossible path. The grief is crushing, and every small piece of hope feels painfully temporary.
And then there’s Cebrinne.
I struggled with her for so much of the book—not because she fought the prophecy, but because of how she chose to face it. The things she was willing to sacrifice, the choices she made—they didn’t sit right with me at first. I thought I knew how I wanted her story to unfold, and I was angry that she wasn’t living up to that version. But by the end, after seeing what little control she actually had and the impossible decisions she was forced to make, my perspective shifted. Once she finally began fulfilling the prophecy and had that fleeting taste of life and love and freedom away from Thaan’s control—yet it was still tainted by the hatefulness and bitterness of the people surrounding her—it broke me. I still don’t agree with everything she did, but now I understand her, or at least I’m starting to, and I think I will even more as the story continues to unfold. Now all I can do is anxiously wait to see if there’s more to Cebrinne’s deal with Darkness, as I can’t shake the feeling she made it in the hopes of protecting those she loves—and I’m dying to find out what it could mean for her daughter.
And then there’s Pheolix—absolute perfection wrapped in chaos. He’s witty, sarcastic, clever, and endlessly entertaining, with a humor that gets under Selena’s skin in the best way possible. His banter and clever quips are his armor, and he can charm and tease everyone, making him utterly approachable despite everything he’s endured. He’s smart, intriguing, and fiercely protective—the kind of blackguard ass of a siren who would go to any lengths to keep Selena safe. His loyalty is unwavering, and his devotion to her is everything—fierce, unrelenting, and utterly captivating.
Thaan remains the absolute worst. Every small moment of hope he touches, he twists into heartbreak. I hate him with every fiber of my being.
This book gives you everything you’ve been waiting for—hope, love, resolution—only to rip it all away in the most perfect, brutal way.
I’m not okay. I will never be okay.
And yet—I need Book Four like, yesterday.
September 1, 2025
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of A Sea Of Vow and Silence from the author! 🫶
“I’m afraid that if I fall asleep, I will wake up and never see you again.”
I’m giving a standing ovation to A Sea Of Vow and Silence because this book is a masterpiece and I love it with every ounce of my being! 🥹🩵 I don’t even know how it’s possible for each book in The Naiads of Juile series to continue to get better and better with each book but with this series it does this series as a whole will forever be a comfort series for me! ❤️
A Sea Of Vow and Silence is a prequel to the first two books in the series and it answers so many of my questions I had from reading them that I needed to know. I already knew what was going to happen since the first two books give an overall map but I had no idea how it would get to that point and I was in shock! 😱🙊🤯 I went through every single possible emotion you could think of while reading this book and my heart broke so many times even though I already knew my heart was going to break before even beginning to read this! 😭🤯💔🔥🤭🥰😂🩵 Don’t even get me started on how much I loved the sister bond between Cebrinne and Selena and the beautiful beautiful worldbuilding! 🥹🫶 I honestly would love if there was an illustrated edition with all the artwork and scenes from the book because I would buy it in a heartbeat. This book will forever be in my heart and I will be shouting how much I love it from the rooftops! 🫶
If you love sister bonds, bodyguard romance, high stakes, sirens, scream and throw your book moments (yes this happened more than once 🙈), and a story that will forever be in your heart then be sure to read this book! 🫶
“I’m afraid that if I fall asleep, I will wake up and never see you again.”
I’m giving a standing ovation to A Sea Of Vow and Silence because this book is a masterpiece and I love it with every ounce of my being! 🥹🩵 I don’t even know how it’s possible for each book in The Naiads of Juile series to continue to get better and better with each book but with this series it does this series as a whole will forever be a comfort series for me! ❤️
A Sea Of Vow and Silence is a prequel to the first two books in the series and it answers so many of my questions I had from reading them that I needed to know. I already knew what was going to happen since the first two books give an overall map but I had no idea how it would get to that point and I was in shock! 😱🙊🤯 I went through every single possible emotion you could think of while reading this book and my heart broke so many times even though I already knew my heart was going to break before even beginning to read this! 😭🤯💔🔥🤭🥰😂🩵 Don’t even get me started on how much I loved the sister bond between Cebrinne and Selena and the beautiful beautiful worldbuilding! 🥹🫶 I honestly would love if there was an illustrated edition with all the artwork and scenes from the book because I would buy it in a heartbeat. This book will forever be in my heart and I will be shouting how much I love it from the rooftops! 🫶
If you love sister bonds, bodyguard romance, high stakes, sirens, scream and throw your book moments (yes this happened more than once 🙈), and a story that will forever be in your heart then be sure to read this book! 🫶
August 14, 2025
Whit's one of my absolute favorite romantasy authors for a reason. Actually, MANY reasons. She knows how to weave a beautiful, tragic love story with rich visuals, deep emotions, and great twists. I stayed up late for two nights to finish reading because I had to know how it ended.
I already loved the first two books in the series, but THIS ONE. This one might be my favorite so far! I absolutely loved getting to know the characters who we've met in prior books and uncovering their backstory! It added such depth to the story she started with A Sea of Song and Sirens AND A Sea of Wrath and Scoria. I'm just DYING to get my hands on book four to see how this ends for all of them.
**Slight Spoiler Alert*
I love Selena and found her so relatable! Her love interest Pheolix was a perfect MMC for her. Love a snarky, flirty, cinnamon roll who would kill to protect his woman--long before she's actually his woman! The build-up of moments between them, the withering looks, the flirting, the HEATED masquerade scene, and then finally reaching that moment where the SLOW BURN totally paid off.
I also really enjoyed the contrast between the two sisters. Besides the love interests, this is definitely a SISTER story, which I adored. It was great how Whit filled in the gaps that Maren didn't know about her own mother Cebrinne's story. The final 2-3 chapters were so good, even though we already knew what happens to her from prior books.
I will be thinking about this book (and its gorgeous artwork) for a long time...
I already loved the first two books in the series, but THIS ONE. This one might be my favorite so far! I absolutely loved getting to know the characters who we've met in prior books and uncovering their backstory! It added such depth to the story she started with A Sea of Song and Sirens AND A Sea of Wrath and Scoria. I'm just DYING to get my hands on book four to see how this ends for all of them.
**Slight Spoiler Alert*
I love Selena and found her so relatable! Her love interest Pheolix was a perfect MMC for her. Love a snarky, flirty, cinnamon roll who would kill to protect his woman--long before she's actually his woman! The build-up of moments between them, the withering looks, the flirting, the HEATED masquerade scene, and then finally reaching that moment where the SLOW BURN totally paid off.
I also really enjoyed the contrast between the two sisters. Besides the love interests, this is definitely a SISTER story, which I adored. It was great how Whit filled in the gaps that Maren didn't know about her own mother Cebrinne's story. The final 2-3 chapters were so good, even though we already knew what happens to her from prior books.
I will be thinking about this book (and its gorgeous artwork) for a long time...
August 31, 2025
"A Sea of Vows and Silence" is a masterful, heart-wrenching prequel that is an essential piece of the larger series. While it has a more moderate pace compared to the other two books, every chapter is packed with purpose, filling in the crucial lore and character backstories that have been hinted at throughout the series.
This book truly shines by introducing new characters and making you fall completely in love with them. I was captivated by Ceba's strength and fury, and it was a powerful experience to see so much of a certain beloved character reflected in her. Her journey with her sister Senna is at the heart of the story, a bond that is both a source of strength and a well of vulnerability. My heart went out to Senna, and this book gave me a new understanding of her character and the hardships she has endured.
The romance is an emotional roller coaster, delivering an excruciatingly slow burn with a palpable tension that you can't help but get invested in. The author excels at making you root for a couple while you, the reader, hold the bittersweet knowledge of what is to come. This narrative irony creates a powerful undercurrent of emotion that will stay with you long after the final page.
Ultimately, this prequel isn't just a rundown of past events—it’s a living, breathing story that gives context to the entire series. It’s a beautifully written journey that left me feeling both deeply satisfied and heartbroken, and it has only made me more eager to re-read the first two books with this new knowledge. If you're a fan of immersive world-building, powerful sisterly bonds, and a romance that will leave you in tears, then this is the perfect read for you.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free, advanced reader copy of this book. This has not influenced my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
This book truly shines by introducing new characters and making you fall completely in love with them. I was captivated by Ceba's strength and fury, and it was a powerful experience to see so much of a certain beloved character reflected in her. Her journey with her sister Senna is at the heart of the story, a bond that is both a source of strength and a well of vulnerability. My heart went out to Senna, and this book gave me a new understanding of her character and the hardships she has endured.
The romance is an emotional roller coaster, delivering an excruciatingly slow burn with a palpable tension that you can't help but get invested in. The author excels at making you root for a couple while you, the reader, hold the bittersweet knowledge of what is to come. This narrative irony creates a powerful undercurrent of emotion that will stay with you long after the final page.
Ultimately, this prequel isn't just a rundown of past events—it’s a living, breathing story that gives context to the entire series. It’s a beautifully written journey that left me feeling both deeply satisfied and heartbroken, and it has only made me more eager to re-read the first two books with this new knowledge. If you're a fan of immersive world-building, powerful sisterly bonds, and a romance that will leave you in tears, then this is the perfect read for you.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free, advanced reader copy of this book. This has not influenced my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
September 9, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing this early copy for review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review — A Sea of Vows and Silence by Whit Stanfield
"The Fates know her name. You can't change her path. Heiress. Heartstopper. Selena."
From the very first page...no, from the prologue, I knew this book was going to have me by the heartstrings.
A Sea of Vows and Silence marks the third dark chapter in The Naiads of Juile series, though its events take place before Book #1.
Here, we follow siren sisters Selena and Cebrinne in their desperate search for freedom from a cruel master. It’s a raw, emotional romantasy set in a dark fairytale world. A fractured Little Mermaid retelling layered with fierce sisterhood, a hauntingly original magic system, and an excruciatingly slow-burn romance that will ruin you in the best way.
The magic system is intricate and unlike anything I’ve read before. Woven so seamlessly into the world that it feels alive. And the twists? I never saw them coming. The kind of gasp-out-loud, flip-back-a-few-pages moments that make you wonder how you missed the signs.
This prequel was so good it made me want to immediately revisit books one and two, just to piece everything together with fresh eyes.
To Whit, your writing is a beautiful expression of emotion and world-building...transporting me to places I could never have gone without you. As a reader with wanderlust, I thank you for every word.
If you crave immersive storytelling, hopeless pining, intricate world-building, and the delicious whiplash of unexpected plot twists, this is one you can’t miss.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review — A Sea of Vows and Silence by Whit Stanfield
"The Fates know her name. You can't change her path. Heiress. Heartstopper. Selena."
From the very first page...no, from the prologue, I knew this book was going to have me by the heartstrings.
A Sea of Vows and Silence marks the third dark chapter in The Naiads of Juile series, though its events take place before Book #1.
Here, we follow siren sisters Selena and Cebrinne in their desperate search for freedom from a cruel master. It’s a raw, emotional romantasy set in a dark fairytale world. A fractured Little Mermaid retelling layered with fierce sisterhood, a hauntingly original magic system, and an excruciatingly slow-burn romance that will ruin you in the best way.
The magic system is intricate and unlike anything I’ve read before. Woven so seamlessly into the world that it feels alive. And the twists? I never saw them coming. The kind of gasp-out-loud, flip-back-a-few-pages moments that make you wonder how you missed the signs.
This prequel was so good it made me want to immediately revisit books one and two, just to piece everything together with fresh eyes.
To Whit, your writing is a beautiful expression of emotion and world-building...transporting me to places I could never have gone without you. As a reader with wanderlust, I thank you for every word.
If you crave immersive storytelling, hopeless pining, intricate world-building, and the delicious whiplash of unexpected plot twists, this is one you can’t miss.
August 29, 2025
This series is one of my all-time favorites, and this book reminded me why. Even though I read quite a few books each year, most of which are fantasy romance, this world and these characters still stand out to me as something really unique. Once I pick these books up, I never want to put them down.
Even though this book works like a prequel to the main series, you absolutely do NOT want to read it first. It will spoil every single twist in the main books, and those shocking reveals are a huge part of why I love the books so much. This one needs to be read in publication order, which is the third in the series.
At first, it took me a little while to get into the rhythm of the POV switches. Even with the names given at the top of each chapter, I had to stop and re-orient myself on who was who between the sisters for the first few chapters of the book. But once I knew their personalities as the book progressed, I could see how different they were and how much their backstory added to the larger storyline with Maren. It really gave me a better understanding of why everything is happening the way it is in Maren's life.
The only thing I found myself wishing for was a little more of Cebrinnes’s life once she was on the island with Maren's father. It felt like such an interesting dynamic with Cebrinne not being able to talk but Maren's father protecting her and the baby as much as he could from any hate that came their way. I feel like we got so much of the story of the sisters' lives together at the beginning, but less of their lives once they were separated, and I would’ve loved to see that side explored further.
That said, I definitely got emotional a few times while reading, which is always the biggest sign of a great book for me. There were some moments that truly surprised me and now I have even more questions about where things are headed next. This book may not have become my all time favorite of this series but that is only because the bar is set ridiculously high on the first two books (I just can't get over Maren's storyline). This book still delivered all the emotions, twists, and depth I was hoping for going into this, and I’m already desperate for the next book to come out.
Thank you to the author for providing this early copy for review.
Even though this book works like a prequel to the main series, you absolutely do NOT want to read it first. It will spoil every single twist in the main books, and those shocking reveals are a huge part of why I love the books so much. This one needs to be read in publication order, which is the third in the series.
At first, it took me a little while to get into the rhythm of the POV switches. Even with the names given at the top of each chapter, I had to stop and re-orient myself on who was who between the sisters for the first few chapters of the book. But once I knew their personalities as the book progressed, I could see how different they were and how much their backstory added to the larger storyline with Maren. It really gave me a better understanding of why everything is happening the way it is in Maren's life.
The only thing I found myself wishing for was a little more of Cebrinnes’s life once she was on the island with Maren's father. It felt like such an interesting dynamic with Cebrinne not being able to talk but Maren's father protecting her and the baby as much as he could from any hate that came their way. I feel like we got so much of the story of the sisters' lives together at the beginning, but less of their lives once they were separated, and I would’ve loved to see that side explored further.
That said, I definitely got emotional a few times while reading, which is always the biggest sign of a great book for me. There were some moments that truly surprised me and now I have even more questions about where things are headed next. This book may not have become my all time favorite of this series but that is only because the bar is set ridiculously high on the first two books (I just can't get over Maren's storyline). This book still delivered all the emotions, twists, and depth I was hoping for going into this, and I’m already desperate for the next book to come out.
Thank you to the author for providing this early copy for review.
August 20, 2025
Another beautifully written story by Whit. I didn't know how badly I needed the back story of Cebrinne and Selena and now that I have it, I wish it were 1000 pages longer.
Both of their stories are quite heartbreaking, but the moments of happiness, love, fleeting friendships, and bonds that can't be broken make the sadness bearable. I loved how contrasting they were in their personalities and seeing who they used to be vs how they're portrayed in the Naiads of Juile series really brings everything full circle. I found myself highlighting passages and jumping back and forth between the books to catch all the bits of foreshadowing and lore.
Their love stories also wrench your heart in a special kind of way. While we only get a brief glimpse at Cebrinne's, I adored how pure and full of acceptance it felt. Selena's wrecked me and will continue to do so as this series continues. She and Pheolix truly deserve some peace.
I will forever be grateful to be able to arc read for Whit and strongly encourage any and everyone to read this book and the entire Naiads of Juile series if you haven't already. Release day can't come soon enough!
Both of their stories are quite heartbreaking, but the moments of happiness, love, fleeting friendships, and bonds that can't be broken make the sadness bearable. I loved how contrasting they were in their personalities and seeing who they used to be vs how they're portrayed in the Naiads of Juile series really brings everything full circle. I found myself highlighting passages and jumping back and forth between the books to catch all the bits of foreshadowing and lore.
Their love stories also wrench your heart in a special kind of way. While we only get a brief glimpse at Cebrinne's, I adored how pure and full of acceptance it felt. Selena's wrecked me and will continue to do so as this series continues. She and Pheolix truly deserve some peace.
I will forever be grateful to be able to arc read for Whit and strongly encourage any and everyone to read this book and the entire Naiads of Juile series if you haven't already. Release day can't come soon enough!
August 22, 2025
It felt so good to dive back into the world of the Naiads!🧜♀️
This book made me laugh, swoon, cry a little and angry! In other words I felt it all! It’s the third book in the Naiads of Julie series where we leave the main storyline of Maren and travel back in time to follow Maren’s mother, Cebrinne, and her sister, Selena, story. The book fits perfectly in the storyline and gives us answers to what truly happend that led to the present events in Maren’s story.
It’s a beautiful story of sisterhood and how they continue to fight against their chains for freedom and love! Whit makes this world come alive and describes the world so beautifully! I need someone to paint one of the underwater palaces!
The ending was bittersweet and very emotional! I cryed when the wax light finally lit and I am not a cryer! (You must read the book in order to understand what I mean😭). I absolutely loved Selena and Pheolix’s love story! Who doesn’t want to read about a man who has been pining for a decade for someone he cannot have!
And I just want to say that Thaan is honestly one of the worst villains! He will make you dread turning to the next page! Like just give us a damn break and let them be happy for a second! Will we ever get rid of him!!??
Thank you Whit for letting me read your book and I am so ready for book 4!
This book made me laugh, swoon, cry a little and angry! In other words I felt it all! It’s the third book in the Naiads of Julie series where we leave the main storyline of Maren and travel back in time to follow Maren’s mother, Cebrinne, and her sister, Selena, story. The book fits perfectly in the storyline and gives us answers to what truly happend that led to the present events in Maren’s story.
It’s a beautiful story of sisterhood and how they continue to fight against their chains for freedom and love! Whit makes this world come alive and describes the world so beautifully! I need someone to paint one of the underwater palaces!
The ending was bittersweet and very emotional! I cryed when the wax light finally lit and I am not a cryer! (You must read the book in order to understand what I mean😭). I absolutely loved Selena and Pheolix’s love story! Who doesn’t want to read about a man who has been pining for a decade for someone he cannot have!
And I just want to say that Thaan is honestly one of the worst villains! He will make you dread turning to the next page! Like just give us a damn break and let them be happy for a second! Will we ever get rid of him!!??
Thank you Whit for letting me read your book and I am so ready for book 4!
August 20, 2025
Well… this book will stay with me forever. Things happened in this book that were just…traumatizing! I smiled, I cringed, I had to take deep breaths, I kicked my feet, my jaw dropped… this was an excellent prequel to the first 2 books, A Sea of Song and Sirens and A Sea of Wrath and Scoria, and while it is a prequel, definitely read the first 2 books to avoid spoiling events and characters who’s secrets are revealed when they need to be in the story.
The story revolves around two sisters and shows a bond that is so strong but grows into something different that allows the sisters to realize the importance of making your own decisions for yourself. The villain in this book is one you will actually want to maim! No love is given to this evil, evil being, I don’t care what he went through. Read the books, you’ll understand my strong feelings.
The MMC is hilarious. The snark is REAL. The banter is amazing. But he has a story that will break your heart.
This incredible story is a must read and I will shout it from the rooftops!
The story revolves around two sisters and shows a bond that is so strong but grows into something different that allows the sisters to realize the importance of making your own decisions for yourself. The villain in this book is one you will actually want to maim! No love is given to this evil, evil being, I don’t care what he went through. Read the books, you’ll understand my strong feelings.
The MMC is hilarious. The snark is REAL. The banter is amazing. But he has a story that will break your heart.
This incredible story is a must read and I will shout it from the rooftops!
September 1, 2025
I just devoured A Sea of Vows and Silence, the third book in The Naiads of Juile series, and I'm still reeling from the experience. As a prequel to the first two books, it masterfully fills in the gaps and provides so much depth to the story I already loved. The sisters, Cebrinne and Selena, stole my heart with their complex bond and individual struggles. And the romance? Swoon! The slow-burn tension is so good.
What I loved most about this book is how it explores the sisters' backstory and the events that shaped them into the characters we know now. The world-building is rich and immersive, and the magic system is unique and fascinating. The writing is beautiful, and the plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat. Let’s not forget Pheolix 🔥, Aegir and the one we love to hate Thaan. We learn so much more in this book.
If you're a fan of romantasy, dark fantasy, or fairy tale retellings, you'll love this series. And don't worry if you thought you knew the story - this prequel will blow your mind with its revelations and character development. Can't wait to re-read the first two books with this newfound understanding!
This quote has stayed with me
"I'd burn every bone in my body to keep you warm.
I'd sacrifice every drop of my blood to keep you safe."
What I loved most about this book is how it explores the sisters' backstory and the events that shaped them into the characters we know now. The world-building is rich and immersive, and the magic system is unique and fascinating. The writing is beautiful, and the plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat. Let’s not forget Pheolix 🔥, Aegir and the one we love to hate Thaan. We learn so much more in this book.
If you're a fan of romantasy, dark fantasy, or fairy tale retellings, you'll love this series. And don't worry if you thought you knew the story - this prequel will blow your mind with its revelations and character development. Can't wait to re-read the first two books with this newfound understanding!
This quote has stayed with me
"I'd burn every bone in my body to keep you warm.
I'd sacrifice every drop of my blood to keep you safe."
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